Lubbock, TX – July 10, 2024 – Texas Tech University Press proudly announces the release of Inside the Well, a captivating new book by author Lance Lunsford. Set against the backdrop of the dramatic rescue of 18-month-old Jessica McClure from an abandoned backyard well in Midland, Texas, in October 1987, this book provides an in-depth account of the rescue operation and the aftermath for those involved in the rescue.

The book explores the harrowing 56-hour endeavor to free Baby Jessica from a well, an event that not only captivated the world but also validated the burgeoning 24-hour news model of CNN. Despite the oil bust and its devastating effect on the community, firefighters, police, roofers, oil drillers, truck drivers, mining engineers, and neighbors came together in a collective effort to save the young toddler.

“I avoided taking on the Baby Jessica story early on as a young reporter in my hometown of Midland,” said Lunsford. “But with an assignment to cover the 15-year anniversary of the rescue in 2002, it occurred to me that the story was about so much more than the rescue of a baby girl from a well. It’s a story of a community facing desperate times in dark economic conditions, all coming together to overcome obstacle after obstacle to achieve a miracle and how that experience changed lives, not always for the better.”

The book examines the key figures involved, including the McClure family, first responders, and news reporters who experienced the dynamics as they happened. While celebrating the triumph of the rescue, Lunsford also sheds light on the subsequent downfall of some of the key players, such as Midland firefighter-paramedic Robert O’Donnell and Midland Police Sgt. Andy Glasscock.

Lunsford’s narrative is bolstered by personal anecdote and recollections, in-depth interviews, and substantial local knowledge, making Inside the Well the definitive book on this West Texas story that became a twentieth-century media phenomenon and that nearly 40 years later continues to captivate.

Key Highlights:

• Expert Curation: Detailed backstory of key figures in the rescue, including their personal triumphs and tragedies.
• Community Effort: Exploration of how the Midland community came together, harvesting expertise and resources across the region.
• Media Impact: Analysis of how the rescue validated CNN’s 24-hour news model.
• Human Element: Insight into the personal struggles and downfalls of those involved after the media spotlight faded.

The book is available for purchase on Amazon and Barnes and Noble, and more information can be found at Texas Tech University Press.

About the Author

Lance Lunsford, MBA, is a former reporter and city editor for the Midland Reporter-Telegram. He also reported for several years at the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal covering regional business, courts, agriculture, government, and politics. The founder of Lancer Productions in Lubbock, Lunsford was an early innovator in digital communications, creating websites and compelling video content for a range of clients. Lunsford also served as the director of marketing for UMC Health System in Lubbock, a public academic medical center.

Lunsford is the co-founder and senior partner at Groundswell Health, an Austin-based strategic marketing and communications firm specializing in healthcare.

Prior to founding Groundswell Health, Lunsford served the Texas Hospital Association for seven years as the senior vice president of strategic communications and president and CEO of the association’s shared services division. Lunsford has a master’s degree in business administration from Texas Tech University and a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Texas A&M University.

Lunsford also serves as president of the board of directors of the Central Texas chapter for the American College of Healthcare Executives. He lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife, Michelle. Together, they have three daughters.

For follow-up inquiries, please contact:

John Brock
Marketing and Sales Manager, Texas Tech University Press
Phone: (806) 834-5609
Email: [email protected]

About Texas Tech University Press

Texas Tech University Press is committed to publishing works that offer significant contributions to scholarship and culture. Our publications range from academic titles to general interest books, all aimed at enriching the lives of our readers.

For more information, visit Texas Tech University Press.

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Note to Editors:

• Lunsford headshot. High-resolution images are available online at the links below.
  • HiRes download 1
  • HiRes download 2
• Review copies of the book are available upon request.

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